Timing mechanism for printing machines



11', 1931. w. K. ECKHARD TIMING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 6, 1929 INVE N'I'Q R Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATE-S PATENT FFICE WILLIAM K. ECKHARD, OF DUNELLEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO B. HOE & 00., INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TIMING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Application filed September 6, 1929. Serial No. 390,701.

This invention relates especially to machines for printing on material that is in sheet form, although it is obviously appli cable to machines used for other purposes. In machines of this class various operations are performed and a definite sequence in the movements of the cooperating mechanisms must be arranged and maintained. Many of these mechanisms are operated by cams that are adjustable on a shaft, so the operation of their associated mechanisms may be timed tocoordinate their movements with those of other parts of the machine. Other mechanisms may be operated by gears or other machine elements that are similarly adjustable.

The proper setting of these various adjustable parts is commonly accomplished by experimentation, necessitating several trials a before the correct adjustment is obtained.

Furthermore, after the machine has been properly adjusted and is in use it may be necessary to disturb the adjustments in making alterations or repairs and the readjust- 253 ment by anyone not familiar with the machine is a difficult matter.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for readily indicating the correct position for setting the various cams, gears, and other elements of a machine that perform various operations in accurately timed sequence.

7 It is also an object to provide a mechanism j j for the aforesaid purpose that will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and efiicient in its use.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in tary side View of a position of a machine used for printing on sheets of tinned iron by the offset method, and showing the timing plate that is the subject of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View partly in section showing the timing plate and related parts as viewed on the line 22 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to Figure 1; Xcept that it shows a modified form of the invention.

The base frame of the machine is indicated at 11, and one of the side frames at 12. A main drive shaft 13, carries a gear 14, which drives the compound idler 15-46, which in turn drives the gear 17, secured to the cam shaft 18.

Gear 17 also meshes with gear 19, which has the same number of teeth and is secured to the impression cylinder 21. The impression cylinder makes one complete revolution for each sheet that is printed, and the shaft 18 therefore rotates at the same speed. The gear 19 drives the gear 22, secured to the offset printing cylinder 23.

A hearing 24, for the shaft 18, is carried by the frame 12, and it will be understood that a similar bearing is provided in the opposite side frame; also, that suitable bearings for the other shafts are likewise provided.

Grippers 25, are secured to the gripper shaft 26, carried by the impression cylinder 21, and are operated by the cam 27, which is adjustably secured to the side frame by bolts 28, and which acts on the cam roller 29 carried by arm 30 secured to the gripper shaft 26.

The gripper is shown in engagement with a sheet 31, which is about to be printed.

A cam disc 32, is formed with a groove 33, in Which the roller 34 runs. This cam is keyed to the shaft 18, and the roller 34 is connected to arm 35, secured to shaft 36, to

which the arm 37 is also secured. The arm 37 operates a portion of the feeding mechanism not shown.

An open cam 38, is adjustably supported on the shaft 18, and locked in position by the screw 39. Other cams and gears not shown are similarly secured or clamped to the shaft 18 or other driven shafts of the machine and serve with those shown to actuate the various mecbanismsiwhich operate to feed the sheet forward at the proper time, register it by both the front and side edges, push it into the grippers, close the grippers and open them at the proper time, trip the impression, and various other functions which it is unnecessar to enumerate.

t will be evident that the elements which actuate the mechanisms performing these functions must be accurately adjusted to operate in the proper timed relation. Means for indicating their proper adjustment is provided by the timing plate 4L1 that is secured to the cam disc 32, by screws 42.

An index 44, is secured to the frame 12, and indicatingv marks 45, which may be desig nated A. B. C. etc. are placed on the timing plate 41, in position to register with the pointer when various elements of the machine should be in certain definite positions. Thus line A may indicate the proper position for the disc when the grippers have just closed on the sheet. Similarly the lines designated by other letters indicate the position of the plate at definite points in the operation of other mechanisms; and the elements controlling those operations, such as the cams 27 and 38 may thus be accurately adjusted without difficulty.

In the modified form of the device shown in Figure 3, the numerals indicating parts cor responding to those shown in Figure 1 are primed In this form the timing plate 41 is sup ported in fixed position and the index a4 is secured to the rotating shaft 46, to which a gear 47 is attached. This gear is made with twice the number of teeth that are in the gear 17', with which it meshes, and the index consequently makes but one half of a revolution for each complete revolution of the shaft 18. In this form the indicating lines and let ters are repeated at diametrically opposite points on the plate 41, as shown, but if preferred, only one set of index lines may be made on the plate and a second index 48 provided, spaced 180 degrees around on the shaft 46, as shown by the dotted line.

It is obvious that the same result may be obtained by other arrangements of a member moving through a cycle and a stationary member; and that the moving member may be revolved or otherwise moved any aliquot part of a revolution or cycle during a complete cycle of the operations of the machine, if the indicating plate and the index or indices are suitably arranged.

What I claim is:

1. In a sheet fed printing machine, means for indicating the proper setting for cams that engage coacting mechanism which operate elements of the machine in a definite timed sequence, including, an index in fixed position, and a cooperating timing plate rotating in synchronism with the printing cylinder saidtiming plate having indicating marks thereon, so placed as to be in alignment with the index at positions in the revolution of the plate, that correspond to definite positions of said elements during their operation.

2. In a sheet fed printing machine, having operating elements moving in sequence in adj ustably timed relation, an index secured to a stationary member of the machine and coacting with a timing plate secured to a rotating shaft that makes one revolution for each sheet printed, and indicating marks 011 the timing plate located to be in alignment with the index at positions in the revolutions of the plate that correspond with definite positions of the said operating elements during their operation.

3. In a sheet fed printing machine, having operating elements moving in sequence in adjustably timed relation, an index secured to a stationary member of the machine and (Io-acting with a timing plate secured to a rotating shaft that makes an aliquot part of a revolution, coincident with the printing of each sheet, and indicating marks on the timing plate located to be in alignment with the index at positions in the revolution of the plate that correspond with definite positions of the said operating elements during their operation.

4. In a machine for printing on sheets of material, movable elements adapted to handle the sheets, a rotating member that makes an aliquot part of a revolution as each sheet is printed by the machine, an index and a timing plate arranged in operative relation to each other, one of them being secured to the said member, and the other being supported in a fixed position; and indicating marks on the timing plate located to be in alignment with the index at positions in the revolution of the member that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

5. In a machine for printing on sheets of material, the combination of movable ele ments adapted to handle these sheets and a moving member that moves through a cycle as each sheet is printed by the machine, with an index and a timing plate arranged in operative relation to each other, one of them being arranged to move with said member, and the other being supported in a fixed position; said timing device having indicating marks located thereon, arranged to be in alignment with the index at points in the movement of the member that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

6. In a machine that performs several operations in accurately timed sequence, movable elements adapted to control the opera tions, a rotating member that makes one revolution during a complete cycle of operations of the machine; an index and a timing plate arranged in operative relation to each other, one of them being secured to the said member, and the other being supported in a fixed position; and index marks on the timing plate, located to be in alignment with the index, at positions in the revolution of the member, that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

7 In a machine that performs several operations on a product in a definite sequence, movable elements adapted to control the operations, a rotating member that makes an aliquot part of a revolution during a complete cycle of operations of the machine; an index and a timing plate arranged in operative relation to each other, one of them being secured to the said member and the other being supported in a fixed position; and indicating marks on the timing plate, located to be in alignment with the index at positions in the revolution of the member, that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

8. In a machine that performs a pluralit of operations on a. product in a definite sequence, movable elements adapted to control the operations, a moving member that completes a circuit during a complete cycle of operations of the machine, an index and a timing plate arranged in operative relation to each other, one of them secured to the said member, and the other supported in a fixed position, and index marks on the timing plate located to be in alignment with the index at positions in the circuit of the member, that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

9. In a machine that performs several operations on a product in a definite sequence, the combination of movable elements adapted to control the operation, a moving member that moves through a cycle during a cycle of operations of the machine with an index and a timing device in operative relation to each other, one of them being arranged to move with said member and the other being supported in a fixed position; said timing device having indicating marks located thereon, arranged to be in alignment with the index at positions in the movement of the member that correspond to definite positions of the said movable elements of the machine during their operation.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

\VILLIAM K. ECKHARD. 

